2006 TOYOTA AVALON light

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Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break−in. But following a few simple tips
for the first 1600 km (1000 miles) can add
to the future economy and long life of
your vehicle:
Avoid full throttle acceleration when
starting and driving.
Avoid racing the engine.
Try to avoid hard stops during the first
300 km (200 miles).
Do not drive for a long time at any
single speed, either fast or slow. FUEL TYPE
Your new vehicle must use only un-
leaded gasoline.
To help prevent gas station mix
−ups, your
Toyota has a smaller fuel tank opening.
The special nozzle on pumps with un-
leaded fuel will fit it, but the larger stan-
dard nozzle on pumps with leaded gas will
not.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use
should meet specifications of ASTM
D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB 3.5 −M93
in Canada.
NOTICE
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of
leaded gasoline will cause the three
way catalytic converter to lose its ef-
fectiveness and the emission control
system to function improperly. Also,
this can increase maintenance costs.
OCTANE RATING
Select Octane Rating 87 (Research Oc-
tane Number 91) or higher. For im-
proved vehicle performance, the use of
premium unleaded gasoline with an Oc-
tane Rating of 91 (Research Octane
Number 96) or higher is recommended.
Use of unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating or research octane number lower
than stated above will cause persistent
heavy knocking. If it is severe, this will
lead to engine damage.
If your engine knocks...
If you detect heavy knocking even when
using the recommended fuel, or if you
hear steady knocking while holding a
steady speed on level roads, consult your
Toyota dealer.
However, occasionally, you may notice
light knocking for a short time while accel-
erating or driving up hills. This is normal
and there is no need for concern.
Breakin period Fuel

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Your engine is fitted with iridiumtipped
spark plugs.
NOTICE
Use only Toyota genuine iridium
tipped spark plugs and do not adjust
gaps for your engine performance and
smooth driveability.
For details about the spark plug type, see
“Service specifications” on page 377 in
Section 8. The tandem master cylinder brake system
is a hydraulic system with two separate
sub
−systems. If either sub −system s hould
fail, the other will still work. However, the
pedal will be harder to press, and your
stopping distance will increase. Also, the
brake system warning light may come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a
single brake system. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.
BRAKE BOOSTER
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to
power −assist the brakes. If the engine
should quit while you are driving, you can
bring the vehicle to a stop with normal
pedal pressure. There is enough reserved
vacuum for one or two stops—but no
more!
CAUTION
Do not pump the brake pedal if the
engine stalls. Each push on the
pedal uses up your reserved vacu-
um.
Even if the power assist is com-
pletely lost, the brakes will still
work. But you will have to push the
pedal hard, much harder than nor-
mal. And your braking distance will
increase.
Iridiumtipped spark plugs Brake system

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Antilock brake system is not de-
signed to shorten the stopping dis-
tance: Always drive at a moderate
speed and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front of you.
Compared with vehicles without an
antilock brake system, your vehicle
may require a longer stopping dis-
tance in the following cases:
Driving on rough, gravel or snow
covered roads.
Driving with tire chains installed.
Driving over the steps such as the
joints on the road.
Driving on roads where the road
surface is pitted or has other differ-
ences in surface height.
Install all 4 tires of specified size at
appropriate pressure: The antilock
brake system detects vehicle speeds
using the speed sensors for respec-
tive wheels’ turning speeds. The use
of tires other than specified may fail
to detect the accurate turning speed
resulting in a longer stopping dis-
tance.
Ty p e A
Ty p e B
“ABS” warning light
Vehicles without the vehicle stability
control system—
The light comes on when the ignition
switch is set at ON. If the anti −lock brake
system works properly, the light turns off
after a few seconds. Thereafter, if either
of the systems malfunctions, the light
comes on again.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti −lock brake system does not operate,
but the brake system still operates con-
ventionally.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti −lock brake system does not operate
so that the wheels could lock up during
a sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces.

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If either of the following conditions
occurs, this indicates a malfunction
somewhere in the components moni-
tored by the warning light system. Con-
tact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible to service the vehicle.
The light does not come on when the
ignition switch is set at ON, or remains
on.
The light comes on while you are driv-
ing.
A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If the “ABS” warning light remains on
together with the brake system warn-
ing light, immediately stop your ve-
hicle at a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer.
In this case, not only the antilock
brake system will fail but also the
vehicle will become extremely unsta-
ble during braking.
“ABS” warning light
Vehicles with the vehicle stability con-
trol system—
The light comes on when the ignition
switch is set at ON. If the anti −lock brake
system and the brake assist system work
properly, the light turns off after a few
seconds. Thereafter, if either of the sys-
tems malfunctions, the light comes on
again.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti −lock brake system and the brake as-
sist system do not operate, but the brake
system still operates conventionally.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti −lock brake system does not operate
so that the wheels could lock up during
a sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces. If either of the following conditions oc-
curs, this indicates a malfunction some-
where in the components monitored by
the warning light system. Contact your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible to
service the vehicle.
The light does not come on when the
ignition switch is set at ON, or remains
on.
The light comes on while you are driv-
ing.
A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If the “ABS” warning light remains on
together with the brake system warn-
ing light, immediately stop your ve-
hicle at a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer.
In this case, not only the antilock
brake system will fail but also the
vehicle will become extremely unsta-
ble during braking.

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DRUMINDISC TYPE PARKING BRAKE
SYSTEM
Your vehicle has a drum−in −disc type
parking brake system. This type of brake
system n eeds bedding −down of the brake
shoes periodically or whenever the parking
brake shoes and/or drums are replaced.
Have your Toyota dealer perform the bed-
ding− down. BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM (vehicles with
vehicle stability control system)
When you slam the brakes on, the
brake assist system judges as an emer-
gency stop and provides more powerful
braking for a driver who cannot hold
down the brake pedal firmly.
When you slam the brakes on, more pow-
erful braking will be applied. At this time,
you may hear a sound in the engine
compartment and feel the vibration of the
brake pedal. This does not indicate a mal-
function.
The brake assist system becomes opera-
tive after the vehicle has accelerated to
a speed in excess of approximately 10
km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the
vehicle decelerates to a speed below
approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
For an explanation of this system’s warn-
ing light, see “Service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers” on page 145 in Sec-
tion 1
−6.
The brake pad wear limit indicators on
your disc brakes give a warning noise
when the brake pads are worn to where
replacement is required.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise
while driving, have the brake pads
checked and replaced by your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible. Expensive ro-
tor damage can result if the pads are not
replaced when necessary.
Brake pad wear limit
indicators

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1. Check the area around the vehicle be-fore entering it.
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, seat cushion angle, seat cushion
length, head restraint height, steering
wheel angle and length.
3. Adjust the inside and outside rear view mirrors.
4. Lock all the doors.
5. Fasten seat belts. With smart key system only—
Once you press “ENGINE START STOP”
switch (engine switch) and release it, the
cranking hold function continues to crank
the engine until it starts.
The function stops cranking the engine
after about 25 seconds maximum if the
engine has not started yet. When you
crank the engine again, wait a few sec-
onds and restart it.
If you press and hold the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch, the function will
keep cranking for about 30 seconds maxi-
mum. 1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and acces-
sories.
3. Put the selector lever in “P”. If you need to restart the engine while the
vehicle is moving, put the selector le-
ver in “N”. A starter safety device will
prevent the starter from operating if the
selector lever is in any drive position.
4. Depress the brake pedal and hold it to the floor until driving off.
Before starting the engine How to start the engine—
—Cranking hold function
(a) Before cranking

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When the key is in the vehicle (on your
person), it is possible to start the engine.
With the brake pedal firmly depressed, the
indicator light on the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch will turn green. Check that
the automatic transmission selector lever
is in the “P” position. Pressing the “EN-
GINE START STOP” switch once starts
the engine.
Press the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
slowly and firmly.
Engine should be warmed up by driving,
not in idle. For warming up, drive with
smoothly turning engine until engine cool-
ant temperature is within normal range.
If the engine stalls...
Simply restart it, using the correct proce-
dure given in normal starting.
If the engine will not start...
In the following cases, the engine will not
start.
If a buzzer sounds from the vehicle
and the smart key system warning light
comes on when pressing the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch, this indicates
that the key is not in the vehicle.
If the key is placed in the trunk, the
engine cannot be started.
There are instances in which the en-
gine will not start, even if the key is
in the vehicle (e.g. on the floor, in the
cup holder or glove box).When the push button start function
does not operate properly, the following
may be causes:
The key battery may be discharged if
the electronic key does not work.
You can start the engine by touching
the Toyota logo side of the electronic
key to the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch. For derails, see “Smart key
system” on page 27 in Section 1
−2.
Replace the key battery as soon as
possible. (See “—Replacing battery” on
page 25 in Section 1 −2.)
The engine was repeatedly turned on
and off over a short period.
Wait 10 seconds and then start the
engine.
If the green indicator light on the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch flashes
and the smart key system warning light
on the instrument cluster comes on,
the steering wheel is locked.
To free it, rock the steering wheel
slightly while pressing the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch.

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If the amber indicator light on the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch flashes
and the smart key system warning light
on the instrument cluster comes on,
there is a problem in the push button
start function or the steering lock func-
tion.
Contact your Toyota dealer and have
your vehicle and all keys inspected.
In addition to the above, there are
instances in which the smart key sys-
tem does not operate properly because
of the circumstances of use. For de-
tails, see “Smart key system” on page
27 in Section 1
−2.
In cases other than those described
above, it is possible that a problem has
occurred in an area other than the start
system. See “If your vehicle will not start”
on page 308 in Section 4. When the battery is disconnected or
run down,
the push button start function
memorizes the current mode. After you
reconnect, replace, or recharge the bat-
tery, the memorized mode is selected au-
tomatically. In any of these cases, turn off
the engine if the engine comes on.
Wait 10 seconds to start the engine after
the battery has been reconnected. The
engine may not start on the first try. This
does not indicate a malfunction.
NOTICE
 Do not race a cold engine.
 If the engine becomes difficult to
start or stalls frequently, have the
engine checked immediately.
TIPS FOR USING SMART KEY SYSTEM
When using the smart key system, it is
possible to start or stop the engine as
long as the key is on your person.
For this reason, it is possible that a pas-
senger may remove the key from the ve-
hicle without the driver being aware of the
fact. In such a case, it is not possible to
restart the engine after having turned it
off. In addition, it is possible that one may
get out of the vehicle without being aware
that the ignition switch has not been
turned off completely.
When driving or getting in or out of the
vehicle, drivers should make sure that
they are carrying the key.
CAUTION
Do not touch the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch (engine switch) while
driving.
If you have to make an emergency stop,
press and hold the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch for more than 3 seconds.
Driving and parking using
smart key system